3 Months to Live.21 Months Later,He’s Still Singing.
They gave him 3 months to live. That was 21 months ago. ❤️
On November 4, 2024, DeLane Cates was told the pancreatic cancer he had previously fought had spread to his lungs.
At one point he was down to 140 pounds and exhausted from chemotherapy.
When DeLane recently shared this video, he wrote:
“I thought this would be my swan song. I was 140 pounds and burnt from end to end from chemotherapy. I’m still alive, still fighting.”
And he is.
Still here.
Still singing.
Still fighting. ❤️
🎤 DeLane Cates: vocals
🎸 Bryan Dennis: guitar
🎬 Video edited by Bryan Dennis
This is one person’s cancer journey, but there are thousands of families carrying their own version of it.
Tri Town Events helps cancer patients and veterans who must travel for medical treatment, including helping them find safe, welcoming places to stay.
If this story touches you, please share it. Someone who needs a little hope may find it because you did.
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DeLane Cates’ remarkable story is a powerful testament to human resilience and the strength found in passion and purpose, even when facing the harshest of medical prognoses. From personal experience and stories shared by many fighting cancer, I've witnessed how maintaining a creative outlet, like DeLane’s singing, can give patients a renewed sense of identity and hope. Music and artistic expression help many cancer warriors find moments of peace and joy during treatment. DeLane’s perseverance, continuing to sing despite severe weight loss and chemotherapy exhaustion, reflects how engaging in meaningful activities can significantly improve mental well-being and quality of life. Another important aspect is the support network — Tri Town Events plays a vital role by providing practical assistance to patients and veterans needing to travel for medical care. Traveling for treatment can be daunting, especially when combined with the physical and emotional toll of cancer. Finding safe, welcoming accommodations and reliable transportation can make a significant difference, allowing patients to focus on healing. Sharing stories like DeLane’s is crucial because it reminds us that survival times are not set in stone. Advances in treatment and personalized care plans have enabled many patients to live longer and fuller lives than expected. It’s important for families and patients to seek support groups, connect with others on similar journeys, and keep hope alive. I encourage anyone touched by cancer—whether personally or through loved ones—to explore resources like Tri Town Events and to remember that each day survived can be a victory. Sharing inspiring journeys online can offer encouragement and solidarity to countless others, and sometimes a simple story is exactly the hope someone needs to keep fighting. Lastly, the emotional significance of songs like “The Parting Glass” — referenced in DeLane’s video — adds a poignant layer to this journey. Such traditions and music help honor life, loss, and resilience, making the fight against cancer not just a medical battle but also a deeply personal and communal experience.